Kenneth Faried intended to spend the offseason playing and impressing for Team USA Basketball during the FIBA World Cup. While he is certainly succeeding in that goal, he is also having to deal with numerous trade rumors as his contract is set to expire with the Denver Nuggets. This offseason has seen several big names get dealt including Kevin Love and many assume Faried could be next. The forward admits he is bothered by the speculation.
Faried's stock continues to rise which is setting the young forward up for a big pay day in the near future. With free agency just around the corner, Faried knows there is always a chance the Nuggets trade him instead of giving him the amount of money he deserves. Currently in Spain playing for Team USA Faried told the media that he hates the speculation. ESPN's Marc Stein reports that Faried commented on the trade rumors saying they "affect you when you want to stay somewhere."
Ideally, Faried wants to stay in Denver and sign a long-term contract extension. Currently dominating summer basketball, Faried is building his case for a huge pay day and according to Stein, he wants that to come from the Nuggets. The ball is in Denver's court as negotiations have yet to truly begin between the two sides. Right now, the deadline is Halloween to get a new deal in place for Faried or else the forward could end up being a mid-season trade piece rather than re-signed in free agency.
Faried's name continues to circle the trade wagon along with his teammate, Timofey Mozgov. Denver has not intentions of letting the center go either as a number of teams have tried to test just how committed the Nuggets are to either player. The New York Knicks have been linked to the forward, but more so in free agency than a trade. Right now, New York lacks any kind of assets to interest Denver, but come next summer they will have the money to sign him to a generous contract. The Minnesota Timberwolves have also been linked to a deal for Faried, especially if that cannot keep Thaddeus Young this summer.
Faried will likely ink a max contract next summer, it just remains to be seen if it is with the Denver Nuggets or not. Faried wants to remain with the team, but is he willing to take a price cut to do so?